Re: 485/496

Well, the key word in your question is "could". With the proper application of vast amounts of money and work, almost anything is possible. In a practical sense I think it would have been unlikely.

First of all, wasn't the 485s boiler was also damaged in its tumble into the pit? My understanding was that it had a fair sized dent in the boiler shell where it hit the edge of the turntable pit.

The two boilers, while similar in overall size are quite a bit different in their details. The smoke box diameter would have had to be exactly the same (I never measured a '36 and '37 to see if they are) or the cylinder saddle would have to be modified. Also, the frame design of the 490's at the rear is completely different due to the trailing truck design and the shape of the firebox. I am not sure the firebox of the 485 would have fit into it without modification.

Russ